About

Welcome to where we ditch the recipes, abandon the rules, take chances and color outside the lines (and sometimes on the walls)

What others are saying…

Alycia, your words are filled with hope. They make me laugh out loud, roll my eyes and from time to time, shed a tear. In short, you are a blessing to me and many others. So write, and write some more! – Lee Hodges, President of Hope Springs International

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I’ve had the honor of watching Alycia deal with some very tough times in her life. Those times would have driven some women to stop writing, or to write some things they may regret down the road. In each instance, Alycia has taken it in stride, and found some valuable life lessons in the smallest areas. She’s honest with her feelings, evenly bluntly revealing her pain and anger at her late husband’s suicide. She has made me cry and then 5 seconds later made me laugh at her children’s shenanigans. She’s clever with words, she’s freaking hysterical, but most of all she’s real. – Amanda Howell, owner, coach and consultant at Amanda Sue

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There are so many voices clamoring for our attention. Into that chaos comes the gentle words from Alycia. She shares honestly from a heart that has known pain, but refused despair. Her faith in the goodness of God and the power of grace are contagious. Her readers comes away, from her writing, encouraged to keep reaching for hope. – Beth Zimmerman, owner of Masterpiece

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Alycia Neighbours is a woman I met through a shared love of writing, photography and dogs. Her writing humbles me, because she can make laugh out loud and seconds later I’m choking back tears as the picture she’s painting with words touches my soul and inspires me to aim for the stars, to live in the now, and to celebrate each moment.

I had the honor of getting to know Alycia over the past couple of years through blogging. It’s a weird thing, this blogging thing, where you can share with people on many levels and feel connected. I’m honored to say that Alycia is a wonderful writer whose voice is driven by honesty, conviction and laughter. Her writing changes people. It’s what all of us who write strive to do. For Alycia, it’s natural. And always welcomed. – Jerrod Crouch, Never Had One Lesson

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Alycia does not hide from the hard topics. She uses her writing to bring you with her into those hard places. She shares her heart with so much beauty, grace, and honesty, that you find yourself breathless, but keenly aware of a feeling of hope. She also writes about the funny things, the nice things, and the mundane things – all with that same beauty, grace, and honesty. It is a pleasure to read her words, and to get to know her heart. – Tracie Nall, “From Tracie“

12 years under an abusive husband that ended in his suicide. I’m finding my brave here in my new marriage, on my blog, in my Amazon ebook. and in speaking platforms.

But I want you to find your brave. The brave that comes from finding your truth and nothing that some small minded person has told you. WE can be brave together…..Let’s do this.

You can reach me at alycia.neighbours (at) gmail (dot) com

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16 replies

I know that you will find the strength to survive and to raise these babies to be smart, creative, super women!!! Just take a look in the mirror and see it for yourself! They are your hope and your future and your life mission now. Use every resource out there to give you that extra boost, don’t be afraid to ask and don’t ever think that you are alone. Too many people love you and will do anything and everything to help. Not just today, but two months from now, four months from now, six month from now and for years to come!! You are LOVED!!!!!

I read your story and want to thank you for putting it all out there. Too many of us have dealt with similar things, while not all of us have had such difficult endings to it. I was so glad to read your recent updates and wish you all of the best this holiday season and into the new year!

Falling into your blog has been a lovely accident. I love how you write and I thank you for being brave enough to share your story and pour out your most sincere feelings. I’m glad writing has been a form of relief because not everybody is able to do that and you truly write it like it is without regret. God really does turn us into admirable people during the worst of times, even when we are clueless as to where the strength is coming from. Congratulations on your new life and may this new chapter be everything you and your girls deserve.

Alycia, you are so right! Throwing out the old “stuff”, especially beliefs that don’t serve you well, makes room for a new, lighter self to emerge. So glad you dumped that rooster and all he carried with him. Hooray!

So, we used to be friends on twitter and then I stopped tweeting because I was doing that instead of well, parenting. When I came back, your whole world changed. I am glad to see that you weathered the storm! Your writing is amazing. Looking forward to following your tweets again (you always made me laugh)
Lisa

I still think of my life as one bad soap opera. Loses of all kinds. I have had a difficult time finding blogs that I can relate too. Lots of mommy blogs, crafting, cooking, decorating blogs and they have their place.
I needed to find someone like you. Our lives are not so different. I think I am farther along the timeline but I relate with your loss & your new normal.In the space of 3 years-
1. My 11 year old died of a brain tumor.
2. My parents home burned up 1month later.
3. My sister-in-law was attacked by a dog 1 month later & was severely injured.
4. My mother-in-law fell & broke her pelvis 1 month later.
5.Nepew #2 is sent to prison for 15 to 20.
6.My sister left her husband & 17 yr old daughter,brought her 21 yr old son, & 2 unhouse broken dogs & moved into my parents new house.
7.Nephew lost tip of a finger due a bad cut that was wrapped to tight.
8.On my parents 51 anniversary, my oldest brother was taken to the hospital & told he had liver cancer that spread.
9.Nephew take overdose of oxycon a few days later & is prounced dead.
9.A code blue is called at the same time for my brother & he died a few hours later.
10.Sister-law dies from lung cancer 2 months later.
11.All 4 parents alll die within the next 2 years.
12.Brother #2 takes his own life.
13.Sister is an anorexic drug addict.
I don’t tell you these things to gain pity. I just want you to know that I understand a little about what
your loss means to you

I have just been writing my blog for a few months. It is hard to write about the personal stuff that I feel compelled to write about when I know most people would rather hear a cute story about a toddler that won’t get dressed.
I know that I have written too much. You inspire me to keep writing about my story. It’ok to call yourself a widow. I have no name that I can call myself for losing a child. We have both been forever changed by our losses. Keep writing, even if it is about the squabbles of the kids or a messy house. Tell your story. I have just started to tell mine. Thnks for listening.

I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for the Versatile Blogger Award. This is my first time participating in a chain letter type award. I hope that you realize that there are a few reasons I am doing this: 1) To thank you for the inspiration you have given me as I learn the blogging ropes 2) To share your talents with my friends, families, and followers. I hope that you will graciously accept this award from a newbie like me!